Are You at Risk for Endometriosis?

The tissue that lines the inside of your uterus is called endometrial tissue. Endometriosis is a disease that means some of this tissue has made its way outside your uterus. This tissue often ends up on your ovaries, part of your intestines, or other areas within your pelvis. The tissue acts just like the tissue inside your uterus. It goes through a monthly change – getting thick, breaking down, and bleeding. Because the tissue has nowhere to go, endometriosis causes pain in your abdomen. This pain may get much worse during your period.

Endometriosis is common among women. It affects roughly 1 out of 10 women of childbearing age. Several risk factors may make you more likely to develop it. Learn about your risk for endometriosis by answering the following questions.

Note: A risk factor is anything that affects your chance of getting a disease. Having a risk factor, or even several risk factors, does not mean you will get the disease. And some women who get endometriosis may not have had any known risk factors.

What is your age?

Do you have a mother, sister, or daughter (first-degree relative) with endometriosis?YesNo

Have you ever given birth?YesNo

Are you overweight or obese?YesNo

At what age did you have your first period?

How many days is your menstrual cycle?

Do you or have you smoked in the past?YesNo

Do you take birth control pills?YesNo

Have you taken birth control pills in the past?YesNo

Your results

Age

You told us that you are . Endometriosis most often happens in women of childbearing age. This age runs from about 12.5 years old to just after menopause, or about age 51. It only rarely affects a woman outside this age range. Researchers don’t know whether your risk increases with age. They do think that symptoms do not get worse with age.

Genetics

You told us that you have a mother, sister, or daughter (first-degree relative) with endometriosis. Women who have a mother, sister, or daughter with this disease are at higher risk of having it themselves. You are 7 times more likely to have endometriosis than a woman who has no first-degree relatives with the disease. Doctors think the risk is higher because inherited genes make you more susceptible to the disease. Remember to share your family history with your healthcare provider.

Childbirth

You told us that you have given birth at least once. Women who have given birth at least once have a much lower risk of developing endometriosis than women who have never given birth. Some studies have found that the risk is up to 10 times lower. Researchers think that having additional children may cut the risk even more. Be sure to share your birth history with your healthcare provider.

Childbirth

You told us that you have not given birth. Women who have never had a child tend to have a higher risk for endometriosis than women who have given birth. Pregnancy stops the menstrual cycle for a period of time. This break in the menstrual cycle lowers the amount of estrogen a women is exposed to. Being exposed to less estrogen lowers a woman’s risk for endometriosis.

Weight

You told us that you are obese or overweight. Some researchers think that the risk for endometriosis may be lower for a woman who weighs more or has a higher BMI. A woman who is overweight or obese may not have regular menstrual cycles. Or she may have a cycle that doesn’t release an egg. Either of these may lower the amount of estrogen a woman is exposed to. But being overweight or obese raises the risk for several other diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease. Be sure to discuss concerns about your weight with your healthcare provider.

Weight

Congratulations on keeping your weight in check! It’s unclear how much weight affects the risk for endometriosis. Some researchers think that overweight or obese women may have a slightly lower risk for endometriosis. This may be because overweight and obesity can cause irregular menstrual cycles or other problems with fertility. But maintaining a healthy weight is important to cut your risk for many other diseases. Talk with your healthcare provider to find out more about weight and endometriosis.

Smoking

You told us that you are a current smoker. It’s not clear how smoking affects the risk for endometriosis. Some researchers think that smoking actually lowers the risk. This may be because smoking lowers estrogen levels. Although smoking may slightly lower the risk for endometriosis, it can cause many other serious health problems. These include infertility, lung disease and a variety of cancers. Talk with your healthcare provider about programs that can help you quit.

Smoking

You told us that you don’t currently smoke. Smoking may slightly lower the risk for endometriosis. But please continue not smoking because it can cause many other serious health problems. Talk with your healthcare provider if you have questions about smoking and endometriosis.

First menstrual period

You told us that you had your first period before your 12th birthday. Getting your first period at an early age may raise the risk for endometriosis. Researchers think this may be because the more periods you have over your lifetime, the more likely that endometrial tissue can make its way into your pelvis. Remember to share your menstrual history with your healthcare provider.

Length of menstrual cycle

You told us that your menstrual cycle length is usually less than 28 days. Having a short regular menstrual cycle raises the risk for endometriosis. Remember to share your menstrual history with your healthcare provider.

Birth control pills

You told us that you take birth control pills. Using birth control pills may or may not raise your risk for endometriosis. If you currently use birth control pills or you recently stopped using them, you may have a slightly lower risk for endometriosis. This is compared with women who don’t take birth control pills. But your risk may also be higher if you don’t currently take birth control pills but did so 2 or more years ago. Remember to discuss with your healthcare provider your use of birth control pills.

Past use of birth control pills

You told us that you have taken birth control pills in the past. Using birth control pills may or may not raise your risk for endometriosis. If you currently use birth control pills or you recently stopped using one, you may have a slightly lower risk for endometriosis. This is compared with women who don’t take birth control pills. But your risk may also be higher if you don’t currently take birth control pills but did so 2 or more years ago. Remember to discuss with your healthcare provider your use of birth control pills.

Summary

The environment may also play a role in your risk for endometriosis. Researchers have found that animals that were exposed to the chemical dioxin or dioxin-like substances were more likely to develop endometriosis. But studies in people have not always found this to be true. Researchers are continuing to study this issue to better know the risks that these chemicals have.

Endometriosis is a disease that is affected by the hormone estrogen. The more estrogen or estrogen-like substances you are exposed to, the higher your risk for endometriosis. You are exposed to estrogen through your monthly period. You can also be exposed to estrogen-like chemicals if they are in your daily life. Things that lower your risk are pregnancy and taking a combined birth control pill. Smoking and being overweight or obese also may lower your risk, but these can cause other serious health problems. Things that raise your risk are getting your first period at an early age and having a short monthly cycle.

Endometriosis can cause severe pain and infertility. Having endometriosis puts you at higher risk for certain cancers.

Although there is no cure for endometriosis, treatment helps ease symptoms. If you want to have a child, it makes it more likely that you will become pregnant.

Talk with your healthcare provider to find out more about endometriosis.

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional health care. Always talk with a healthcare provider for advice about your health. Only your healthcare provider can find out if you have endometriosis.

This assessment is not intended to replace the evaluation of a health care professional.